ASNT Central Certification Program (ACCP) Professional Level III - Visual Testing (VT)
Credential: ASNT Central Certification Program (ACCP) Professional Level III - Visual Testing (VT)
Credentialing Agency: American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT)
Renewal Period: 5 years
The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT), ASNT Central Certification Program (ACCP) Professional Level III - Visual Testing (VT) certification is for professionals who have the skills and knowledge to establish techniques, interpret codes, standards, and specifications, designate the particular technique to be used, and to prepare or approve procedures and instructions. An ACCP Professional Level III should also have general familiarity with other NDT methods. Visual Testing (VT) involves the visual observation of the surface of a test object to evaluate the presence of surface discontinuities. VT inspections may be by Direct Viewing, using line-of sight vision, or may be enhanced with the use of optical instruments such as magnifying glasses, mirrors, boroscopes, charge-coupled devices (CCDs) and computer-assisted viewing systems (Remote Viewing). Corrosion, misalignment of parts, physical damage and cracks are just some of the discontinuities that may be detected by visual examinations. Candidates must have a minimum of 4 years of experience in an assignment at least comparable to that of a Level II in the applicable NDT method(s). ASNT Central Certification Program Professional Level III certification candidates are required to pass Basic, Method, Procedure Preparation, and Practical examinations.
More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.
ASNT Central Certification Program (ACCP) Professional Level III - Visual Testing (VT)
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Attainability:
Eligibility Requirements (View Details)
- Credential Prerequisite
- Experience: 4 years
- Education
- Training
- Membership
- Other
- Fee
Note: This credential may have multiple options for a Service member to meet eligibility requirements. Requirements listed here are based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.
Exam Requirements (View Details)
- Exam
- Written Exam
- Oral Exam
- Practical Exam
- Performance Assessment
Exam Administration (View Details)
- In-person exam
- Remote proctored on-line exam
- Third-party test vendor
RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY
Renewal Period: 5 years
AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT)
PO Box 28518
1711 Arlingate Lane
Columbus, OH 43228-0518
Phone: (614) 274-6003
Fax: (614) 274-6899
Contact Page
Education and/or Experience REQUIREMENTS
Candidate must have graduated from a minimim four-year college or university curriculum with a degree in engineering or science and have one year of experience beyond the Level II requirements in Nondestructive Testing (NDT) in an assignment comparable to that of an NDT Level II in the applicable NDT method(s).
Option 2:Candidate must have completed with passing grades at least two full academic school years of engineering or science study at a university, college, or technical school, and have two years of experience beyond the Level II requirements in NDT in an assignment at least comparable to that of NDT Level II in the applicable NDT method(s).
Option 3:Candidate must have four years of experience beyond the Level II requirements in NDT in an assignment at least comparable to that of NDT Level II in the applicable NDT method(s).
Written Exam Nondestructive Testing (NDT) Basic
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Administration of NDT personnel certification programs
- SNT-TC-1A, 2011 edition
- ASNT CP-189, 2011 edition
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General familiarity with other NDT methods
- Radiography (safety, X-ray, and isotope methods)
- Neutron radiography
- Ultrasonic testing
- Eddy current and flux leakage testing
- Liquid penetrant testing
- Magnetic particle testing
- Leak testing
- Acoustic emission testing
- Visual testing
- Thermal/infrared
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Materials, fabrication, and production technology
- Properties of materials, origin of discontinuities, and failure modes
- Materials processing (casting, welding, forging, brazing, soldering, machining, heat treatment, surface treatment, adhesive bonding, etc.)
- Dimensional metrology
Written Exam Visual Testing (VT) Method
- Fundamentals
- Vision and light
- Ambient conditions
- Test object characteristics
- Equipment Accessories
- Magnifiers/microscopes
- Mirrors
- Dimensional
- Borescopes
- Video systems
- Machine vision
- Replication
- Temperature indicating devices and materials
- Chemical aids
- Surface comparators
- Lasers
- Applications and Requirements
- Raw materials
- Primary process materials
- Joining processes
- Fabricated components
- In-service materials
- Coatings
- Other applications
- Requirements
- Variables Affecting Results of interpretation/ Evaluations
- Equipment including type and intensity of light
- Material including the variations of surface finish
- Discontinuity
- Determination of dimensions (ie: depth, width, length, etc.)
- Sampling/scanning
- Process for reporting visual discontinuities
- Personnel (human factors)
- Documentation
- Safety
Written Exam Procedure Preparation
- Candidate must take an essay-type written examination to demonstrate the ability to prepare an NDT procedure for the applicable test method for a specified part based on a supplied NDT specification commonly used in the applicable Industry Sector.
Practical Exam
ACCP Professional Level III candidate must successfully complete a combination practical which covers all techniques within the method.
- Direct
- Remote
Exam Preparation Resources
There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the ASNT Central Certification Program (ACCP) Professional Level III - Visual Testing (VT) examination:
- Best Sources
- General References
An additional resource is O'Reilly Learning Safari Books Online, a searchable digital library that provides online access to thousands of books, training videos and conference sessions. See the Educational Resources section on the Related Sites page here on COOL to learn how to get free access.
Testing Information
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Exam Administration
Credential exams may be administered in-person at a testing site, proctored on-line remotely, or have options for both. If an exam is administered through a test vendor, the third-party test vendor box will be checked. The following test administration options apply to the ASNT Central Certification Program (ACCP) Professional Level III - Visual Testing (VT) credential where checked:
- In-person exam
- Remote proctored on-line exam
- Third-party test vendor
For more information on the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) testing process, visit the agency website.
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Third-Party Test Vendor Information
Testing for this credential is handled by the following vendor:
Pearson VUE
The test centers are located in the U.S. They also have some test centers on military bases.
To find out more, use the following links on the Pearson VUE website:
- Search for Testing Program
- Learn About Testing for Military Communities
- Agency/Certification Specific Testing Information
- Contact Pearson VUE
RECERTIFICATION
ASNT Central Certification Program (ACCP) Professional Level III - Visual Testing (VT)
Renewal Period: 5 years
Additional considerations for the ASNT Central Certification Program (ACCP) Professional Level III - Visual Testing (VT) include:
- For Professional Level III candidates with a currently valid ASNT NDT Level III certificate in the applicable test method(s), the Basic and Method examination is waived.
- If an examination is required for both Level II and Level III certification, those examination requirements are waived for Level III candidates that hold a currently valid ACCP Level II certificate in the applicable test method.